Malone-Brayton cycle engine/heat pump
AssigneeThe United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
InventorThomas A. Gilmour
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A machine, such as a heat pump, and having an all liquid heat exchange fl, operates over a more nearly ideal thermodynamic cycle by adjustment of the proportionality of the volumetric capacities of a compressor and an expander to approximate the proportionality of the densities of the liquid heat exchange fluid at the chosen working pressures. Preferred forms of a unit including both the compressor and the expander on a common shaft employs difference in axial lengths of rotary pumps of the gear or vane type to achieve the adjustment of volumetric capacity. Adjustment of the heat pump system for differing heat sink conditions preferably employs variable compression ratio pumps.
Claims14
A machine having a recirculated heat exchange fluid which is consistently in a liquid phase, said machine including
- a compressor means having a first volumetric capacity for compressing said heat exchange fluid,
- a heat exchange means for receiving said heat exchange fluid from said compressor,
- an expander means having a second volumetric capacity for maintaining pressure in said heat exchange means and for expanding said heat exchange fluid,
- wherein said second volumetric capacity is smaller than said first volumetric capacity.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.